Feedings: Apply a general garden fertilizer once every 3 to 4 weeks to in-ground plantings, weekly to plants in containers.

Propagation: Start new plants with seed 6 to 8 weeks before they are needed in the garden.

Ease of culture: Easy.

Hardiness: Tender.

Major problems: Zinnias are affected by fungal leaf spots and powdery mildew. Newer varieties appear to have some resistance to these diseases, making plantings possible even during the warmer, damp summer. Also check for chewing insects and handpick from the plants as needed.

Pruning: Remove the declining blooms to produce new flowers. Also cut bouquets to encourage flowers and reshape the plants as needed. Trim declining plants from the garden as they complete their life cycles.

Use: Zinnias are planted March through October. Varieties are available in a rainbow of colors, and blossoms are up to 6 inches in diameter. The blooms have a mild fragrance and attract butterflies. Plant clusters in annual flower beds, along walkways and in container gardens. Use lower growing varieties as borders and taller types as backdrops for other flowers.